Byron Man Suspected of Significant Mail Theft

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A Byron man was arrested over the weekend for one crime - and is now a suspect in an even bigger case.

A Byron resident called 911 early Saturday to report a suspicious vehicle that was driving slowly through a neighborhood.

An Olmsted County deputy located the vehicle, which was stopped and began approaching on foot when the driver started backing up. The driver ignored orders to stop and the deputy had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. The driver took off - but not before the deputy was able to get the license plate number. The deputy also recognized the driver as 21-year-old Evan Prendez. He was later located and arrested.

Olmsted County ADC

Sheriff’s Office Capt Scott Behrns says that’s when a “significant amount of stolen mail” was found in the vehicle.

Behrns says Prendez is expected to be charged with stealing the mail from mailboxes in the Byron and Rochester areas.

He says investigators are also trying to determine if another person was involved in the mail theft.